One of HSLDA’s member families contacted us regarding a letter they received. The letter was an intimidating demand that the family meet with the Stark County State Attorney that following Monday, September 29, to discuss their daughter’s absence from public school—or face truancy charges.

The family had recently legally withdrawn their daughter from public school in order to homeschool her. Instead of accepting the fact she was being homeschooled, however, school officials contacted the truant officer.

HSLDA Senior Counsel Chris Klicka sent the superintendent a letter explaining that the family was within their rights to homeschool without notifying the school district (besides the courtesy withdrawal letter). Klicka provided assurances that the family was following Illinois homeschool law and cancelled the meeting with the state’s attorney. The letter stated that the family was operating their homeschool program in complete accordance with the law.

The family has not heard from the school or state attorney since. This a regional school district that has used similar tactics against homeschoolers on and off over the last 10 years—but HSLDA has been able to resolve them all.